Guns & Tulips

Chapter 9: Choosing Sides

***Penni***

I headed down the stairs, giggling at Westly. I probably wouldn’t mention it so much if it didn’t bother him the way it does. He gets all flustered, and blushes. I sigh. Really, he’s just too cute.

I straiten up the flower displays and notice that the little mini fridge that I have for customers, needs to be restocked. I go the beck room and saw that I didn’t have anymore sodas. So I took my apron off and grabbed my purse.

As I was putting up the ‘backing a few minutes’ sign, Marcus decided to walk through the door. “Sorry Sir, I was bout to head out for a few minutes. But if you’re in a hurry, then I can fix you something real quick” I say to him. He clears his throat, and held the door for me. “No, ma’am, I just wanted to have a word with you. I can accompany you.” The way he said it, he didn’t mean for it to be a question. I gave an inward sigh as I walked out the door.

I was heading to Big Mac, which is only a few blocks away. “So I hear that you have a visitor staying with you.” he starts out. I tense a little, and reply, “Yes, a childhood friend. His Mom asked me to take care of him while he’s here.” I fibbed. Marcus nods his head, but doesn‘t look like he believes me. “Well look out, ‘cause there’s a outsider around somewhere, and I don’t want you to get caught up in the middle this.” I give him a quizzical look. “What do you mean by ‘outsider’ and ‘this’?”

He stops and looks up at the sky. “I can’t exactly tell you, just trust me. You know the rumors about my family, right? Well it has to do with that. I just don’t want see you get hurt.” That surprises me. “Why would you care?” I ask, folding my arms across my chest. He looks at me and sights. “Well, I wasn’t exactly there after our mom passed, and I know from James that you were a real friend to Luke. So I just want to return the favor.” I’m taken aback.

Luke was my best friend. I even had a little crush on him. We did everything together. But he didn’t exactly have an easy life, so when he turned eighteen he hightailed it to the big city. No one in the town as heard head of tail about him, so many people think that he’s dead.

I give Marcus a sad smile. “Thanks. But I can take care of myself.” I turn and start walking, but Marcus grabs my arm and hands me a piece of paper. “Still I’ll feel better. Here is my contact info if you ever need help.”

He starts walking away, but then stops and says, “If all this hit’s the fan, you’re gonna have to choose who’s your real friends.” With that he takes his leave. I look around and see that we had attracted some attention. So blushing I hurried to Big Mac got my soda’s and went back to the shop.